Improving Urban Student Achievement through Early Childhood Reform: What State Policymakers Can Do MS Word - Despite research evidence for the effectiveness of early childhood education, urban children in general begin school lagging significantly behind their suburban peers in cognitive, language and social development. These differences are likely to be exacerbated as children move through their school years. This report provides suggestions for ways state policymakers can support reform in early learning in urban districts. Suggestions include understanding all early care and education services within an urban area, planning and coordinating funding and services for early learning, supporting stronger regulations and teacher certification requirements and funding professional development for teachers. (Sharon Lynn Kagan, Education Commission of the States, February 2004)...Author: Sharon Lynn KaganPublication:Publisher: ECS